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Remember all the talk about the crowded crease in Senators’ training camp?

Turns out three is company.

With No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson sidelined day-to-day with an ankle injury he suffered Thursday against the Rangers, the Senators are fortunate they have depth in the crease to help keep them in the playoff race in the East.

Though many thought GM Bryan Murray should have dealt backup Ben Bishop after the short camp in January and handed the second job to Robin Lehner, the Senators decided to hold off to see what happened.

“We talked about having depth at all positions,” said Bishop. “You’re always pushing (each other).This is a job and there’s always somebody trying to take your job.

“It’s like that every single year and it’s going to be like that for your whole career. You’ve got to play well. When other guys are in, you root for them. There’s no purpose in rooting against them. They’re all good guys and good goalies. When it’s your turn, you’ve got to do the job.”

It is hoped Anderson won’t be out long-term. He won’t play Monday against the Montreal Canadiens, but the sprain is reacting well to treatment. There is no timetable for him to resume skating which is why the players are happy they have help here.

“We’ve got three really good goalies,” said captain Daniel Alfredsson. “Somebody has to be in Binghamton unless somebody gets injured. It’s a strength for us no question. Will it be like that forever? I don’t know.

“They all want to play. For us, now, especially with Andy going down, it couldn’t have worked out better.”

The Senators brought in Bishop at last year’s trade deadline from the St. Louis Blues because the organization didn’t have a lot of goaltending. At that point, Lehner was struggling with the club’s AHL affiliate in Binghamton.

“When (Murray) made that trade last year every team in the league was jealous,” said Baby Sens’ coach Luke Richardson Sunday. “Making that trade, that was a steal for a second-round pick.

“Why be in a rush to get rid of (a goalie)?”

The loss of Anderson has caused ripples through the organization. Nathan Lawson, the club’s fourth goalie, is out with a head injury. Richardson is starting Marc Cheverie and Ian Keserich is in Binghamton on a pro tryout from Elmira of the ECHL.

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Depth in the crease a godsend

Remember all the talk about the crowded crease in Senators’ training camp?

Turns out three is company.

With No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson sidelined day-to-day with an ankle injury he suffered Thursday against the Rangers, the Senators are fortunate they have depth in the crease to help keep them in the playoff race in the East.